Rapid changes take place during pregnancy. This is especially true in the first few weeks. The frustrating truth is that you may not notice these changes, and if you do, most of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy can easily be attributed to other conditions. Knowing what to look for can help you determine whether or not you may be pregnant.
Late or Missed Period
When you are trying to conceive, watch the calendar to see if your monthly period is on time. If conception has not taken place, a woman can typically expect the onset of menstruation to occur two weeks after ovulation. With the many women who experience irregular menstrual cycles or menstrual cycles that vary in length, predicting pregnancy based on menstrual cycles alone is unreliable. Take a home pregnancy test id you think you have missed a period.
Swollen and Tender Breasts
According to the experts at Pregnancy Weekly, estrogen and progesterone levels rapidly increase in the weeks following conception, and blood flow to the breasts also increases, leading to swelling and tenderness to both the breast tissue and to the nipples. The surface veins on the breast may become enlarged and more noticeable as well. This infusion of blood and hormones will prepare the breasts for breastfeeding.
Frequent Urination and Sleepiness
According to the Baby Center Medical Advisory Board, as soon as your fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining, the cells that will become the placenta begin to secrete hCG, the pregnancy hormone. This hormone triggers frequent urination. Progesterone, the hormone your uterus uses to maintain a healthy lining, is to blame for a fatigue as well. As progesterone levels increase, you may feel the need for rest.
Nausea
Morning sickness, which can occur at any time of the day, is one of the most dreaded symptoms of the first trimester of pregnancy. Its onset is typically not noticed until four to six weeks into pregnancy, if it is experienced at all. Fatigue and low blood sugar can exacerbate nausea, so prepare your body in the early weeks of pregnancy by getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of whole grains, vegetables and eight to 12 glasses of water daily.
